Driver who killed British jogger tests positive for drugs

A driver who ran into and killed a 35-year old British tourist as she jogged in eastern France tested positive for heroin and cocaine after the incident. 

The woman was killed on Tuesday morning (July 8) as she was out running with her husband in Beaune (Côte d’Or). 

The 44-year old driver hit her as she was crossing the road. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Her husband was uninjured. 

The driver was taken into custody at a nearby police station where a drugs test was carried out.

He will face trial in September in Dijon.

He may be charged with ‘homicide routier’, a new criminal offence in place for killing an individual in a driving accident whilst committing another offence at the same time, such as drink driving or driving under the influence of drugs.

The charge replaces ‘homicide involontaire’ or manslaughter for fatal incidents, although it does not come with stricter penalties.